Panicking and Cannot Focus

[Anonymous]

I'm panicking and have to work and don't know what to do and how to compose myself. For years, I have had digestive symptoms that hit all the classic symptoms of colon cancer. I'm 45 and have had two colonoscopies 6 years apart (the most recent one was three years ago) and they always come back clean (no polyps or anything) and the diagnosis has been internal hemorrhoids and IBS. So I just went along with that diagnosis. I'm now noticing blood mixed into my stool. I thought I saw this a few years ago just before the last colonoscopy but wasn't 100% sure. Now I'm 100% sure and I'm positive something was missed and I now have stage 4 cancer. I had blood tests last year and my iron was fine and I'm actually supposed to be getting a blood test this month for my annual and this has thrown me into a panic over that as well. I'm certain I'm now iron deficient now and something has advanced. I just called my dr to try to get in for a colonoscopy and they are getting back to me but I am panicking and don't know how to handle this.

[Anonymous]

Hey, OP.

You have hemorrhoids. It’s going to be okay.

[Anonymous]

Hemorrhoids.

[Anonymous]

Hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.

You need not to be hysterical OP.

[Anonymous]

Lots of non-cancer things can cause blood in the stool, including hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowl disease, etc. Good to get check out but there's no reason to jump to cancer.

As someone with health anxiety myself, you need to challenge your thinking. You say you're "positive something was missed and I now have stage 4 cancer." You've jumped many levels of your thinking here. The only thing you're sure of is that you have a new symptom (one that can mean many different things) that you're going to get checked out, and that's the best you can do today. Stay off google.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of non-cancer things can cause blood in the stool, including hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowl disease, etc. Good to get check out but there's no reason to jump to cancer.

As someone with health anxiety myself, you need to challenge your thinking. You say you're "positive something was missed and I now have stage 4 cancer." You've jumped many levels of your thinking here. The only thing you're sure of is that you have a new symptom (one that can mean many different things) that you're going to get checked out, and that's the best you can do today. Stay off google.

+1. You *know* you have existing hemorrhoids and IBS. That is overwhelmingly likely to be the source of any blood.

Get checked out to soothe your mind, but jumping immediately to Stage 4 cancer? That’s your anxiety talking. It’s not rational.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are being very proactive with your health. I can understand your concern but try to focus on something positive while you wait for your doctor's instruction. Do you exercise? How do you normally de-stress? Take a walk outside, call a friend, go to a cat cafe or cook a favorite meal. And breathe. It's terrifying to face the what-ifs - but at this point, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion it's stage 4 cancer without more information to go with it.

[Anonymous]

There's a saying when you hear hooves think horses not zebra's. You've already been diagnosed with hemorrhoids and IBS. Hemorrhoids can cause bleeding. It's so much more likely that they are causing your symptoms than something missed by 2 colonoscopies. By all means schedule another to ease your mind, but going by all the facts, the odds are you are completely fine.

[Anonymous]

my mom has had bleeding hemorrhoids for years. Literally blood gushing when they burst. Don't panic.

[Anonymous]

I recognize the signs of health anxiety because I have it. I am not saying it’s nothing or your symptoms aren’t real, but you need to treat your anxiety.

[Anonymous]

OP you seem to have a very bad anxiety disorder that needs to be treated. Also at 45 I think you might be in perimenopause and having additional anxiety that needs to be addressed. Please seek help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.

You need not to be hysterical OP.

This OP. It's probably a fissure. Really really increase your fiber, and take one of the fiber supplements or the ones you mix with water everyday. Make sure you really clean the area with a wet wipe or washcloth after every BM, and use one of the over the counter hemorrhoid creams to moisturize. You will have to experiment with brands to see what works for you.

[Anonymous]

Hemorrhoids or IBD.

[Anonymous]

So, my uncle died of colon cancer.

He never had a colonoscopy. He had symptoms for YEARS and ignored it. His death was at least 10 YEARS in the making with zero medical attention until closer to the end.

Loved the guy and wish that didn't happen to him. OP, you are not that guy.

[Anonymous]

I had two polyps removed and don’t have to go back for 5 years. If you were scoped 3 years ago with no polyps:

You are FINE. This is 1000% health anxiety.

I have this anxiety, too. Even the .000000005% chance of something being wrong is enough to drive me absolutely insane. I don’t wish that on anyone. So I know what you’re doing: ruminating about the .0000000005% chance that could be what it is. But it’s not that. You are not that person who’s ignoring all these glaring symptoms and letting cancer grow. You've done what you needed to do. It’s something much more benign. When your doctor tells you that, believe them.

Zoloft helps a lot.